Chiefs Manawa overwhelm gallant Blues in decider to win first Super Rugby Aupiki title

The Chiefs Manawa were crowned champions of the first Super Rugby Aupiki after overwhelming the gallant Blues in Sunday night’s decider.

The Aucklanders were outclassed by a smarter, more efficient Chiefs side that took advantage of two extra players in the second half when the Blues were issued two yellow cards while defending desperately.

Black Ferns skipper Les Elder lifted the trophy to conclude the inaugural Kiwi women’s Super Rugby in style after weeks of Covid-related upheaval before a ball was kicked.

Whether the competition could be played was under threat, but the Chiefs finished with three successive wins and hammered the Blues 35-src to claim the title after starting as favourites.

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Covid-19 has compromised the competition and only hundreds could attend because of restrictions.

That has not deterred the four Kiwi teams in producing absorbing contests which have gone down to the wire, although the decider was a blowout score that was harsh on the Blues.

More by luck than design, Sunday’s final match was a title decider after Covid-19 ensured the schedule was turned on its head.

Some luck was due, though, and especially for a concept that was held back years too long.

It was fitting for the Blues and the Chiefs to contest the first title after they demonstrated the potential of women’s Super Rugby in their high-quality exhibition match last year – the first of its kind in New Zealand.

With the addition of more Black Ferns and sevens stars for this year’s three rounds, the quality on such limited preparation has been excellent.

Yes, each squad would have clearly benefited from more training time but for Covid-19’s impact, something that was evident during scrappy spells when cohesion was lacking across the board.

Nevertheless, the competition has been a resounding success a